Iris recognition apparatus, iris recognition method, computer program and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An iris recognition apparatus is provided with: an irradiating device that is capable of irradiating light to a target person to be recognized; an acquiring device that acquires a first image which imaged a first imaging range including at least a face of the target person; and a determining device that determines an irradiation mode of light irradiated from the irradiating device to the target person when imaging a second image including an area, which includes an eye of the target person, and corresponding to a second imaging range, which is narrower than the first imaging range, based on the first image.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the technical field of iris recognitionapparatus, iris recognition method, computer program and recordingmedium.

BACKGROUND ART

This type of apparatus requires images with an iris of a target personproperly imaged. In some cases, a target person is wearing glasses orthe like. In this situation, there is a technical problem that, forexample, an iris of a target person may not be properly imaged byimaging reflected light from a lens of an eyeglasses of illuminationlight. For this problem, for example, an apparatus, which images withtwo types of illumination that are an illumination suitable for a targetperson wearing hard contact lenses and an illumination suitable for atarget person wearing glasses, has been proposed (see Patent Literature1). Patent Literatures 2 to 6 are listed as other related technique.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.    2007-319174-   Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.    2006-330347-   Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.    2006-260351-   Patent Literature 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.    2003-308523-   Patent Literature 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.    2000-139878-   Patent Literature 6: Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No.    H10-005195

SUMMARY Technical Problem

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, imaging with theabove-mentioned two illuminations is performed for all target persons.Therefore, the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is atechnical problem that the time required for iris recognition becomesrelatively long.

This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem. Anobject of this disclosure is to provide an iris recognition apparatus,an iris recognition method, a computer program, and a recording medium,that can reduce the time required for iris recognition.

Solution to Problem

An aspect of an iris recognition apparatus of this disclosure isprovided with: an irradiating device that is capable of irradiatinglight to a target person to be recognized; an acquiring device thatacquires a first image which imaged a first imaging range including atleast a face of the target person; and a determining device thatdetermines an irradiation mode of light irradiated from the irradiatingdevice to the target person when imaging a second image including anarea, which includes an eye of the target person, and corresponding to asecond imaging range, which is narrower than the first imaging range,based on the first image.

An aspect of an iris recognition method of this disclosure includes:acquiring a first image which imaged a first imaging range including atleast a face of a target person to be recognized; and determining anirradiation mode of light irradiated to the target person when imaging asecond image including an area, which includes an eye of the targetperson, and corresponding to a second imaging range, which is narrowerthan the first image range, based on the first image.

An aspect of a computer program of this disclosure causes a computer toexecute the one aspect of the iris recognition method as describedabove.

An aspect of a recording medium of this disclosure is a recording mediumin which the one aspect of the computer program as described above isrecorded.

Effect

According to one aspect of each of the iris recognition apparatus, irisrecognition method, computer program and recording medium as describedabove, it is possible to reduce the time required for iris recognition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire configuration of an irisrecognition apparatus of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an irisrecognition unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functional blocks implemented in a CPUprovided in the iris recognition unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an image schematically showing a whole image.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the iris recognitionapparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a specific example of the operation of theiris recognition apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing functional blocks implemented in a CPUprovided by an iris recognition unit of a modification of theembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of an iris recognitionsystem of an application example.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of an iris recognition apparatus, an iris recognitionmethod, a computer program and a recording medium will be described withreference to figures. In the following, embodiments of an irisrecognition apparatus, an iris recognition method, a computer programand a recording medium will be described by using an iris recognitionapparatus 1 which can perform iris recognition even if a target personwears eyeglasses.

Configuration

The entire configuration of the iris recognition apparatus 1 of theembodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is ablock diagram showing the entire configuration of the iris recognitionapparatus 1 of the embodiment.

In FIG. 1 , the iris recognition apparatus 1 comprises an irisrecognition unit 10, a whole camera 20, an iris camera 30, andillumination apparatuses 41 and 42. The whole camera 20 is installed soas to be able to image at least the face of a target person T when thetarget person T of iris recognition is at a predetermined position(e.g., a position designated by a footprint mark, a position to beseated, etc.). The iris camera 30 is installed so as to be able tosuitably image a gaze area, which includes the eye of the target personT, when the target person T is at the predetermined position.

Thereafter, as appropriate, the image imaged by the whole camera 20 isreferred to as the “whole image 100”, and the image imaged by the iriscamera 30 is referred to as the “iris image 200”. The resolution of thegaze area in the iris image 200 is higher than the resolution of thegaze area in the whole image 100. In other words, if the image sensor ofthe whole camera 20 and the image sensor of the iris camera 30 are thesame performance, the imaging magnification of the iris camera 30 ishigher than the imaging magnification of the whole camera 20. Further,the imaging range of the whole image 100 is wider than the imaging rangeof the iris image 200. In other words, the imaging range of the irisimage 200 is narrower than the imaging range of the whole image 100. Thewhole image 100 and the iris image 200 correspond to examples of the“first image” and the “second image” in the supplementary note to bedescribed later, respectively. Further, the imaging range of the wholeimage 100 corresponds to an example of the “first imaging range” in thesupplementary note to be described later, and the imaging range of theiris image 200 corresponds to an example of the “second imaging range”in the supplementary note to be described later.

Illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 are installed such that incidentangles to the target person T of light to be emitted are different fromeach other. In particular, the illumination apparatus 42 is installed soas to illuminate the target person T from below the illuminationapparatus 41. Illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 may be configured tochange other properties of light to be emitted (e.g., at least one ofwavelength and intensity). In this embodiment, it is assumed thatpositional relations and optical features (e.g., an optical axisdirection, an angle of view, etc.) of the whole camera 20, the iriscamera 30, and the illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 are known.Incidentally, the iris recognition apparatus 1 is not limited to two ofthe illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 may be provided with three ormore illumination apparatuses. Illumination apparatuses 41 and 42correspond to an example of the “light source” in the supplementary noteto be described later.

The hardware configuration of the iris recognition unit 10 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram showingthe hardware configuration of the iris recognition unit 10 of theembodiment.

In FIG. 2 , the iris recognition unit 10 includes a CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 13, a storage apparatus 14, an input device 15, and an outputdevice 16. The CPU 11, the RAM 12, the ROM 13, the storage apparatus 14,the input device 15 and the output device 16 are interconnected eachother via a data bus 17.

The CPU 11 reads computer programs. For example, the CPU 11 may read acomputer program stored by at least one of the RAM 12, the ROM 13 andthe storage apparatus 14. For example, the CPU 11 may read a computerprogram recorded in a computer-readable recording medium using arecording medium reading apparatus not shown. The CPU 11 may acquire(i.e., read) a computer program from an apparatus not shown locatedoutside the iris recognition unit 10 via a network interface.

The CPU 11 controls the RAM 12, the storage apparatus 14, the inputdevice 15 and the output device 16 by executing the read computerprogram. In particular, in this embodiment, when the CPU 11 executes theread computer program, logical functional blocks for performing irisrecognition are realized in the CPU 11. In other words, the CPU 11 canfunction as a controller for performing iris recognition.

In the CPU 11, as shown in FIG. 3 , an image acquiring unit 111, anillumination determining unit 112, a control unit 113 and a recognitionunit 114 are realized as logical functional blocks. The operation ofeach of the image acquiring unit 111, the illumination determining unit112, the control unit 113 and the recognition unit 114 will be describedlater. Incidentally, the image acquiring unit 111 and the illuminationdetermining unit 112 correspond to examples of the “acquiring means” andthe “determining means” in the supplementary note to be described later,respectively. The control unit 113, and illumination apparatuses 41 and42 correspond to an example of the “irradiation unit” in thesupplementary note to be described later.

Returning to FIG. 2 , the RAM 12 temporarily stores computer programsexecuted by the CPU 11. The RAM 12 temporarily stores data that the CPU11 uses temporarily while the CPU 11 is executing computer programs. TheRAM 12 may be, for example, D-RAM (Dynamic RAM).

The ROM 13 stores computer programs executed by the CPU 11. The ROM 13may store other fixed data. The ROM 13 may be, for example, P-ROM(Programmable ROM).

The storage apparatus 14 stores data that the iris recognition apparatus1 saves in long-term. The storage apparatus 14 may act as a temporarystorage apparatus for the CPU 11. The storage apparatus 14 may include,for example, at least one of a hard disk apparatus, a magneto-opticaldisk apparatus, an SSD (Solid State Drive) and a disk array apparatus.

The input device 15 is an apparatus that receives input instructionsfrom the user of the iris recognition apparatus 1. The input device 15may include, for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse and atouch panel.

The output device 16 is an apparatus that outputs information about theiris recognition apparatus 1 to the outside. For example, the outputdevice 16 may be a display apparatus capable of displaying informationabout the iris recognition apparatus

1. Operation

The operation of the iris recognition apparatus 1, which is configuredas described above, will be described. First, the operation of theillumination determining unit 112 will be described with reference toFIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the whole image 100.When the target person T wears eyeglasses, the reflected light from thelens of the eyeglasses of the illumination light may be imaged in thewhole image 100. In FIG. 4 , areas a1 and a2, each of which issurrounded by a dotted line, are portions where the reflected light isimaged. Thereafter, an area corresponding to each of areas a1 and a2 areappropriately referred to as an “illumination reflection area”.

The illumination determining unit 112 detects the gaze area (see FIG. 4) by performing a predetermined image processing on the whole image 100.Incidentally, since various existing aspects can be applied to the imageprocessing for detecting the gaze area, a detailed description thereofis omitted. Next, the illumination determining unit 112 detects an area,of which brightness is higher than a predetermined value, as ahigh-brightness area from the gaze area. Here, the “predetermined value”is a value for determining whether or not an area is the high-brightnessarea, and is set in advance as a fixed value, or, for example, as avariable value according to an average brightness or the like of thewhole image 100. Such the “predetermined value” may be set, for example,as a lower limit of a range, which shows a changeable range of thebrightness of the illumination reflection area in the whole image 100and which is determined experimentally or empirically, or by simulation.

The illumination determining unit 112 identifies, for example, aposition, an area, or the like of the detected high-brightness area inthe gaze area. Then, the illumination determining unit 112 specifies howmuch the detected high-brightness area is superimposed on an areacorresponding to the iris of the target person T (for example, an areato be estimated as an area, in which the iris is imaged, in the gazearea).

If a degree of superposition of the detected high-brightness area andthe area corresponding to the iris of the target person T is a degreesuch that it does not affect iris recognition, the illuminationdetermining unit 112 determines imaging the iris image 200 by settingthe setting of each of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 to be the sameas the setting when the whole image 100 is imaged (i.e., withoutchanging settings). Incidentally, setting items of each of illuminationapparatuses 41 and 42 includes, for example, whether or not to light up(in other words, whether or not to emit light), the wavelength of lightto be emitted, the intensity of light to be emitted (in other words,brightness), incident angle to the target person T of light to beemitted, etc. Therefore, determining the setting of each of illuminationapparatuses 41 and 42 is synonymous with determining light to beilluminated to the target person T (specifically, where, at what angleand what kind of light to be irradiated to the target person T). Inother words, determining the setting of each of illumination apparatuses41 and 42 is synonymous with determining the irradiation mode of lightto be irradiated to the target person T.

Here iris recognition will be described briefly. When the iris patternof a new user is to be registered newly in the iris recognitionapparatus 1, the iris pattern of the new user is obtained, for example,as follows: first, an image (corresponding to the iris image 200)including the eye of the new user is imaged, and then a doughnut-shapediris portion is extracted from the image; next, the doughnut-shaped irisportion is converted into a rectangular image; then, the rectangularimage is divided into a plurality of compartments, and then each of theplurality of compartments is quantified (e.g., a representative value ofeach of the plurality of compartments is determined). Digital datagenerated by this quantifying correspond to the iris pattern of the newuser. Iris recognition is performed by comparing the iris pattern oftarget person T obtained in the same manner as described above from theiris image 200 with the iris pattern registered in advance in irisrecognition apparatus 1. If the degree of coincidence between the two isequal to or greater than a predetermined value, the iris recognitionapparatus 1 determines the target person T as a user registered.

A determined result, that whether or not the degree of superposition ofthe detected high-brightness area and the area corresponding to the irisof the target person T is a degree such that it does not affect irisrecognition, varies according to a predetermined value of theabove-mentioned degree of the coincidence. For example, thepredetermined value is 60%. In this case, if an area, which superimposedwith the detected high-brightness area, of the area corresponding to theiris of the target person T is less than 40% of the whole areacorresponding to the iris, it can be said that iris recognition is notaffected. For example, the predetermined value is 100%. In this case, ifthe area corresponding to the iris of the target person T and thedetected high-brightness area is slightly superimposed, it can be saidthat iris recognition is affected. The predetermined value may beappropriately set according to, for example, the number of targetpersons to be recognized of the iris recognition apparatus 1, therecognition accuracy required for the iris recognition apparatus 1, theprobability of false recognition estimated from the resolution of theiris image 200, or the like.

On the other hand, when the degree of superposition of the detectedhigh-brightness area and the area corresponding to the iris of thetarget person T is a degree such that it affects iris recognition, theillumination determining unit 112 sets the setting of each ofillumination apparatuses 41 and 42 to a setting, which is different fromthat when the whole image 100 is imaged. Hereinafter, an exemplaryoperation, in which the setting of each of illumination apparatuses 41and 42 is set to a setting, which is different from that when the wholeimage 100 is imaged, will be described.

The illumination determining section 112 estimates, for example, light,which is emitted from at least one of illumination apparatuses 41 and42, is reflected at which position of the target person T, and how muchlight is reflected (i.e., a reflected position and reflected amount ofillumination light) on the basis of the position, the area, or the likeof the detected high-brightness area in the gaze area, and the settingof each of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 when the whole image 100is imaged (in other words, an irradiation information of lightirradiated to the target person T).

The illumination determining unit 112 estimates a high-brightness areaincluded in the gaze area in the iris image 200 based on the estimatedreflected position and reflected amount of illumination light, and thesetting of each of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42. Then, theillumination determining unit 112 determines the setting of each of theillumination apparatuses 41 and 42 such that, for example, the degree ofsuperposition of the high-brightness area and the area corresponding tothe iris of the target person T is minimized (or is equal to or lessthan a predetermined allowable amount) in the iris image 200. At thistime, the illumination determining unit 112 particularly determines atleast one of the follows: an incident angle of light, which is to beirradiated from one of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 to the targetperson T, to the target person T and a wavelength of light, which is tobe irradiated from one of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42. Theillumination determining unit 112 determines imaging the iris image 200with the determined setting of each of illumination apparatuses 41 and42.

Next, the operation of the iris recognition apparatus 1 will bedescribed with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 . In FIG. 5 , thecontrol unit 113 sets the setting of each of illumination apparatuses 41and 42 to the default value (e.g., only the illumination apparatus 41 islighting), and controls the whole camera 20 so as to image the targetperson T (step S101).

The illumination determining unit 112 acquires the whole image 100imaged as a result of the process of the step S101 through the imageacquiring unit 111. The illumination determining unit 112 performs theabove-described process using the acquired whole image 100. At thistime, the illumination determining unit 112 estimates a reflectedposition and a reflected amount of illumination light if the degree ofthe superimposition of the high-brightness area detected from the gazearea of the whole image 100 and the area corresponding to the iris ofthe target person T is the degree such that it does not affect irisrecognition (step S102).

Next, the illumination determining unit 112 determines the setting ofeach of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 when imaging the iris image200. In other words, the illumination determining unit 112 selects theillumination when imaging the iris image 200 (step S103).

Next, the control unit 113 sets the setting of each of illuminationapparatuses 41 and 42 to the setting determined in the process of thestep S103, and controls the iris camera 30 so as to image the targetperson T (step S104). Thereafter, the recognition unit 114 acquires theiris image 200 imaged as a result of the process of the step S104through the image acquiring unit 111, and performs a predeterminedrecognition determination. Since the existing technology can be appliedto the recognition determination, a detailed description thereof will beomitted.

As an example, if the incident angle of light, which is to be irradiatedfrom the illumination apparatus 41, to the target person T and theincident angle of light, which is to be irradiated from the illuminationapparatus 42, to the target person T are only different from each other(in other words, other than incident angle, for example, wavelength,intensity, etc. of light are the same in illumination apparatuses 41 and42), processes of the flowchart of FIG. 5 can be rewritten as shown inFIG. 6 . Here, the incident angle of light, which is to be irradiatedfrom the illumination apparatus 41, to the target person T isapproximately 0 degrees. In other words, the illumination apparatus 41illuminates the target person T from substantially the front of thetarget person T. On the other hand, the illumination apparatus 42illuminates the target person T from below the face of the target personT. Therefore, the incident angle of light, which is to be irradiatedfrom the illumination apparatus 42, to the target person T differs fromthe incident angle of light, which is to be irradiated from theillumination apparatus 41, to target person T.

In FIG. 6 , the illumination determining unit 112 determines the settingof each of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 so that light is notirradiated from the illumination apparatus 42 to the target person Twhile light is irradiated from the illumination apparatus 41 to thetarget person T when imaging the whole image 100 (in this case, forexample, the illumination apparatus 41 is turned on and the illuminationapparatus 42 is turned off). The control unit 113 sets illuminationapparatuses 41 and 42 according to the determination of the illuminationdetermining unit 112, and controls the whole camera 20 so as to imagethe target person T (step S101).

After the process of the above-described step S102, the illuminationdetermining unit 112 determines whether or not the degree of thesuperimposition of the high-brightness area and the area correspondingto the iris of the target person T affects iris recognition (stepS1031).

If it is determined that iris recognition is not affected in the processof the step S1013 (Step S1013: No), the illumination determining unit112 selects the illumination apparatus 41, which is used as theillumination when the whole image 100 is imaged, as the illuminationwhen imaging the iris image 200 (Step S1032). In other words, theillumination determining unit 112 determines that settings ofillumination apparatuses 41 and 42 are set to be turned on and notturned on, respectively. Therefore, the target person T is illuminatedfrom its substantially front. In this case, the iris camera 30 imagesthe target person T in which light is not irradiated from theillumination apparatus 42 while light is irradiated from theillumination apparatus 41.

If it is determined that iris recognition is affected in the process ofthe step S1031 (Step S1031: Yes), the illumination determining unit 112selects the illumination apparatus 42, which is not used as theillumination when the whole image 100 is imaged, as the illuminationwhen imaging the iris image 200 (Step S1033). In other words, theillumination determining unit 112 determines that settings ofillumination apparatuses 41 and 42 are set to be not turned on and setto be turned on, respectively. Therefore, the target person T isilluminated from below its face. In this case, the iris camera 30 imagesthe target person T in which light is not irradiated from theillumination apparatus 41 while light is irradiated from theillumination apparatus 42.

When the iris recognition apparatus 1 includes three or moreillumination apparatuses, the illumination determining unit 112 mayselect one illumination apparatus, which is not used as the illuminationapparatus when the whole image 100 is imaged, from a plurality ofillumination apparatuses as the illumination apparatus when imaging theiris image 200. At this time, the illumination determining unit 112 mayestimate light, which is emitted from each of the plurality ofillumination apparatuses, is reflected at which position of the targetperson T, and how much light is reflected on the basis of the position,the area, or the like of a high-brightness area in a gaze area, and thesetting of the illumination apparatus 41 when the whole image 100 isimaged. Thereafter, the illumination determining unit 112 may select oneillumination apparatus as the illumination apparatus when imaging theiris image 200 such that, for example, the degree of superposition ahigh-brightness area and an area corresponding to the iris of the targetperson T is minimized (or equal to or less than a predeterminedallowable amount) in the iris image 200.

Incidentally, considering that the illumination apparatus selected asthe illumination apparatus when imaging the iris image 200 irradiateslight while the unselected illumination apparatus does not irradiatelight, the selection of the illumination apparatus is substantiallyequivalent to determining irradiating or not irradiating light (i.e.,ON/OFF) by each illumination apparatus.

Technical Effects

In the iris recognition apparatus 1, the setting of each of illuminationapparatuses 41 and 42 when imaging the iris image 200 is determinedbased on the whole image 100. In other words, in the iris recognitionapparatus 1, illumination when imaging the iris image 200 is selectedbased on the whole image 100. Therefore, the iris recognition apparatus1 can reduce the time required for iris recognition in comparison with acomparative example which images iris images 200 while sequentiallytesting a plurality of illumination patterns until the iris image 200,which is suitable for iris recognition, is imaged, for example.

Modification Example

(1) The illumination determining unit 112 may determine illumination(e.g., an illumination apparatus to be turned on, an irradiation mode oflight to be irradiated from the illumination apparatus to be turned on,etc.) when imaging the iris image 200 based on, for example, a table orthe like showing a correspondence between a characteristic (e.g.,position, size, etc.) of a high-brightness area, which is detected whilelight illuminating the target person T by using an illuminationapparatus, and an illumination apparatus, which is preferably used as anillumination apparatus when imaging the iris image 200 in that case,instead of obtaining the degree of superimposition of thehigh-brightness area detected from the gaze area of the whole image 100and an area corresponding to the iris of the target person T.

(2) At least one of illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 may have adeflecting element (e.g., a movable mirror, etc.), which can change atraveling direction of light in response to an instruction from thecontrol unit 113, on an optical path of light emitted from a lightemitting element. Alternatively, at least one of illuminationsapparatuses 41 and 42 may have a mechanism, which can change an opticalaxis in response to an instruction from the control unit 113, (forexample, a swing-type illumination apparatus). In these cases,illumination apparatuses 41 and 42 are not needed to be pre-installed sothat incident angles of light to be irradiated to the target person Tare different from each other.

(3) At least the illumination apparatus 42 may be configured to emitnear-infrared light. The illumination determining unit 112 may determineto illuminate the near-infrared light from below the face of the targetperson T by the illumination apparatus 42 when it is detected from thewhole image 100 that the target person T is wearing sunglasses. It hasbeen found by the study of present inventors that the iris of the targetperson T, who is wearing sunglasses, can be suitably imaged with theabove described manner. On the other hand, the illumination determiningunit 112 may determine to illuminate the target person T with visiblelight by at least one of illuminations apparatuses 41 and 42, if thetarget person T is not wearing glasses, and if the target person T iswearing regular glasses (i.e., non-sunglasses). In other words, in thisaspect, a wavelength of light to be irradiated to the target person Tmay be changed depending on whether or not the target person T iswearing sunglasses.

(4) As shown in FIG. 7 , the image acquiring unit 111, the illuminationdetermining unit 112 and the control unit 113 are realized in the CPU 11of the iris recognition unit 10, but function blocks other than theimage acquiring unit 111, the illumination determining unit 112 and thecontrol unit 113 are not needed to realize.

(5) an area of a high-brightness area included in the whole image 100when the target person T is not wearing glasses becomes smaller thanthat when the target person T is wearing glasses. Because, for example,a reflection amount of illumination light at an eyeball or skin is lessthan that of illumination light at a lens of eyeglass. Therefore, theillumination determining unit 112 may select illumination, which is thesame as illumination when the whole image 100 is imaged, when imagingthe iris image 200 if an area of a high-brightness area included in thewhole image 100 is less than a predetermined threshold value. The“predetermined threshold value” may be set, for example, as follows: adistribution of an area of a high-brightness area when the target personT is not wearing glasses, and a distribution of an area of ahigh-brightness area when the target person T is wearing glasses areobtained by experimentally or empirically, or by simulation; then, thepredetermined threshold value is set as an area of a high-brightnessarea when it can be considered that the target person T is not wearingglasses on the basis of obtained distributions.

(6) A glasses detection for the whole image 100 may be performed byapplying a pre-existing image processing such as, for example, a patternmatching processing to the whole image 100. The illumination determiningunit 112 may select illumination, that is the same as illumination whenthe whole image 100 is imaged, when imaging the iris image 200 ifglasses are not detected (i.e., it is estimated that the target person Tis not wearing glasses).

Application Example

The iris recognition apparatus 1 as described above may be employed as apart of the iris recognition system 50 as shown in FIG. 8 . The irisrecognition system 50 performs an iris recognition operation thatperforms recognition of the target person T based on an iris pattern ofthe target person T (e.g., human). The iris recognition system 50 may beemployed, for example, as a part of a system for automating entry andexit procedures at airports, so-called ABC (Automated Border Control).In this case, the iris recognition system 50 may be a walk-through typeiris recognition system recognizing a moving target person T.

The iris recognition system 50 comprises a whole camera 2, a pluralityof iris cameras 3, and a control apparatus 6. The iris recognition unit10 of the iris recognition apparatus 1 as described above may constitutea part of the control apparatus 6. The whole camera 20 of the irisrecognition apparatus 1 as described above may constitute the wholecamera 2. The iris camera 30 of the iris recognition apparatus 1 asdescribed above may constitute each of the plurality of iris cameras 3.The whole camera 2 is configured to be capable of imaging the targetperson T with a field of view, which is wider than the field of view ofeach of the plurality of iris cameras 3. The “field of view of a camera”means a range that includes a scene that can be imaged by the camera,and may be referred to as an imaging range.

Here, it is assumed that the target person T passes in order of a pointP11, a point P12 and a point P0 toward the iris recognition system 50.The distance from the point P0 to the point P11 is the distance D1. Thedistance from the point P0 to the point P12 is a distance D2, which isshorter than distance D1. The whole camera 2 images the target person Tlocated at the point P11. The control apparatus 6 identifies where atarget part TP (corresponding to the “gaze area” as described above) ofthe target person T is located in the whole image from the whole imageimaged by the whole camera 2. Then, the control apparatus 6 determinesan iris camera 3, which images the target part TP of the target person Tlocated at the point P12, from the plurality of iris cameras 3.Thereafter, the control apparatus 6 performs recognition of the targetperson T based on an iris pattern obtained from an iris image imaged bythe determined iris camera 3. For more information on the irisrecognition system 50, see, for example, Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid Open No. 2019-026937.

Supplementary Notes

In regard to the embodiments explained above, the followingsupplementary notes are further disclosed.

Supplementary Note 1

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 1 is aniris recognition apparatus comprising: an irradiating device that iscapable of irradiating light to a target person to be recognized; anacquiring device that acquires a first image which imaged a firstimaging range including at least a face of the target person; and adetermining device that determines an irradiation mode of lightirradiated from the irradiating device to the target person when imaginga second image including an area, which includes an eye of the targetperson, and corresponding to a second imaging range, which is narrowerthan the first imaging range, based on the first image.

Supplementary Note 2

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 2 is theiris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 1, whereinthe determining device determines the irradiation mode when imaging thesecond image based on the first image and an irradiation information oflight irradiated to the target person when the first image is imaged.

Supplementary Note 3

An iris recognition of apparatus according to supplementary note 3 isthe iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 2,wherein the determining device determines the irradiation mode whenimaging the second image based on a high-brightness area, which isincluded in an area including the eye of the target person of the firstimage and of which brightness is higher than a predetermined value, andthe irradiation information.

Supplementary Note 4

An iris recognition and apparatus according to supplementary note 4, isthe iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 3,wherein the determining device determines the irradiation mode whenimaging the second image by estimating a high-brightness area includedin the area of the second image based on the high-brightness areaincluded in the area in the first image, and the irradiationinformation.

Supplementary Note 5

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 5 is theiris recognition apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 4, wherein the determining device determines an incident angle oflight irradiated from the irradiating device to the target person as theirradiation mode when imaging the second image, based on the firstimage.

Supplementary Note 6

An iris recognition of apparatus according to supplementary note 6 isthe iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 5,wherein the irradiating device has a plurality of light sources havingdifferent incident angles of light emitted to the target person, and thedetermining device selects a light source for realizing the determinedirradiation mode from the plurality of light sources.

Supplementary Note 7

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 7 is theiris recognition apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determiningdevice determines an incident angle of light irradiated from theirradiating device to the target person as the irradiation mode whenimaging the second image, based on the first image.

Supplementary Note 8

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 8 is theiris recognition apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 7, wherein the determining device determines a wavelength of lightirradiated from the irradiating device to the target person as theirradiation mode when imaging the second image, based on the firstimage.

Supplementary Note 9

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 9 is theiris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 1, whereinthe determining device determines imaging the second image with light,which is same as light irradiated from the irradiating device to thetarget person when the first image is imaged, as the irradiation mode,when an area of a high-brightness area, which is included in an areaincluding an eye of the target person of the first image and of whichbrightness is higher than a predetermined value, is smaller than apredetermined threshold value.

Supplementary Note 10

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 10 is theiris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 1, whereinthe determining device determines imaging the second image with light,which is same as light irradiated from the irradiating device to thetarget person when the first image is imaged, as the irradiation mode ona condition that no eyeglasses are detected from the first image.

Supplementary Note 11

An iris recognition apparatus according to supplementary note 11 is theiris recognition apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1to 8, wherein the irradiation mode includes at least one of follows:irradiating or not irradiating light by the irradiating device, atraveling direction of light irradiated from the irradiating device tothe target person, an optical axis direction of the irradiating device,an incident angle of light irradiated to the target person, and awavelength of light irradiated to the target person.

Supplementary Note 12

An iris recognition method according to supplementary note 12 is an irisrecognition method comprising: acquiring a first image which imaged afirst imaging range including at least a face of a target person to berecognized; and determining an irradiation mode of light irradiated tothe target person when imaging a second image including an area, whichincludes an eye of the target person, and corresponding to a secondimaging range, which is narrower than the first image range, based onthe first image.

Supplementary Note 13

A computer program according to supplementary note 13 is a computerprogram for causing a computer to execute the iris recognition methodaccording to supplementary note 12.

Supplementary Note 14

A recording medium according to supplementary note 14 is a recordingmedium on which the computer program according to supplementary note 13is recorded.

This disclosure can be modified as appropriate in a range not contraryto the claimed range and the subject matter or philosophy of thisdisclosure which can be read from the entire specification, and irisrecognition apparatuses, iris recognition methods, computer programs andrecording media with such modifications are also included in thetechnical philosophy of this disclosure.

Description of Reference Numerals and Letters

-   1... iris recognition apparatus-   10... iris recognition unit-   20... whole camera-   30... iris camera-   111... image acquiring unit-   112... illumination determining unit-   113... control unit-   114... recognition unit

What is claimed is:
 1. An iris recognition apparatus comprising: anirradiator configured to be capable of irradiating light to a targetperson to be recognized; an acquirer configured to acquire a first imagewhich imaged a first imaging range including at least a face of thetarget person; and a determinator configured to determine an irradiationmode of light irradiated from the irradiator to the target person whenimaging a second image including an area, which includes an eye of thetarget person, and corresponding to a second imaging range, which isnarrower than the first imaging range, based on the first image.
 2. Theiris recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedeterminator determines the irradiation mode when imaging the secondimage based on the first image and an irradiation information of lightirradiated to the target person when the first image is imaged.
 3. Theiris recognition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thedeterminator determines the irradiation mode when imaging the secondimage based on a high-brightness area, which is included in an areaincluding the eye of the target person of the first image and of whichbrightness is higher than a predetermined value, and the irradiationinformation.
 4. The iris recognition apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the determinator determines the irradiation mode when imagingthe second image by estimating a high-brightness area included in thearea of the second image based on the high-brightness area included inthe area in the first image, and the irradiation information.
 5. Theiris recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedeterminator determines an incident angle of light irradiated from theirradiator to the target person as the irradiation mode when imaging thesecond image, based on the first image.
 6. The iris recognitionapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the irradiator has a pluralityof light sources having different incident angles of light emitted tothe target person, and the determinator selects a light source forrealizing the determined irradiation mode from the plurality of lightsources.
 7. The iris recognition apparatus according to claim 6, whereinthe determinator determines an incident angle of light irradiated fromthe irradiator to the target person as the irradiation mode when imagingthe second image, based on the first image.
 8. The iris recognitionapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determinator determines awavelength of light irradiated from the irradiator to the target personas the irradiation mode when imaging the second image, based on thefirst image.
 9. The iris recognition apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the determinator determines imaging the second image with light,which is same as light irradiated from the irradiator to the targetperson when the first image is imaged, as the irradiation mode, when anarea of a high-brightness area, which is included in an area includingan eye of the target person of the first image and of which brightnessis higher than a predetermined value, is smaller than a predeterminedthreshold value.
 10. The iris recognition apparatus according to claim1, wherein the determinator determines imaging the second image withlight, which is same as light irradiated from the irradiator to thetarget person when the first image is imaged, as the irradiation mode ona condition that no eyeglasses are detected from the first image. 11.The iris recognition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theirradiation mode includes at least one of follows: irradiating or notirradiating light by the irradiator, a traveling direction of lightirradiated from the irradiator to the target person, an optical axisdirection of the irradiator, an incident angle of light irradiated tothe target person, and a wavelength of light irradiated to the targetperson.
 12. An iris recognition method comprising: acquiring a firstimage which imaged a first imaging range including at least a face of atarget person to be recognized; and determining an irradiation mode oflight irradiated to the target person when imaging a second imageincluding an area, which includes an eye of the target person, andcorresponding to a second imaging range, which is narrower than thefirst image range, based on the first image.
 13. (canceled)
 14. Anon-transitory recording medium on which a computer program for causinga computer to execute an iris recognition method including: acquiring afirst image which imaged a first imaging range including at least a faceof a target person to be recognized; and determining an irradiation modeof light irradiated to the target person when imaging a second imageincluding an area, which includes an eye of the target person, andcorresponding to a second imaging range, which is narrower than thefirst image range, based on the first image is recorded.